Latest Ratings

In short: Oh the hills!! A lovely if rather challenging run through the bluebells.In full: I wasn't quite expecting so many hills but I really enjoyed this run. Not at all a PB but very enjoyable and quite a challenge! Not run a 10km that slow for about ten years but very pleasant Sunday morning romp across the hills of Surrey. I had forgotten how lovely and sandy the soil is.. a fabulous run and very well organised. Parking/number collection/ marshalling and bacon rolls (so my support crew tell me) were all excellent.Date of review: May 11, 2014

In short: The final long run of the training... a lovely morning out!In full: This was the last LSR of the campaign. I didn't enjoy the first hill but the rest were fine.. I looked at it as a really good training run. Lovely friendly marshalls. Lovely jelly babies! I ran without my water bottle just to see what would happen.. the drinks stations were too spread out so I know I need to run the marathon with my bottle, but I'm glad I tried. I'd definitely do this again. Thanks Gade Valley Harriers - you're a great club!Date of review: March 23, 2014

In short: I smashed the PB that stood since 2006! A great run,In full: It should have been a bad run... I adhered to the no headphones rule and then my garmin wouldn't turn on before the start so I ran with no idea of how fast I was going! Knowing when the hills were coming I went crazy downhill and took 14 seconds off my time. Great Marshall's, water stations better than last year and a massive thank you to Watford Harriers and the chief Marshall for not cancelling despite the three lakes. My trainers need a wash but it wasn't dangerous. A great morning - my six year old did the junior challenge race and loved it! So pleased she's enjoying her running. Will do this next year!Date of review: February 2, 2014

In short: A great trip out in the countryIn full: I got a PB but missed sub four hours by 8 seconds. Plenty of toilets around the course which was very good to see - no nipping behind bushes! The Greenway was enjoyable although I found miles 14-17 tough for some reason. I might do it again but it didn't grab me completely. Something other than a medal and a banana would have been good but the route was well supported and the volunteers were excellent. Thank you all for giving up your time.Date of review: April 28, 2013

In short: What a race!!In full: The very low temperatures coupled with the rain/sleet and wind made the bike course a challenge. The hills were fine, enjoyable and testing but fine except for the windchill and numb hands! The second run was really enjoyable - I'm a runner not a cyclist! Date of review: March 17, 2013

In short: A great race... shame about the water stations and the parking ticket...In full: I had a really enjoyable race - the hills weren't too bad at all and only 43 seconds off my PB so 2013 will definitely be the year that is sorted! But... the water stations were woeful.. for the price of the race, water bottles would have been expected and the signs weren't brilliant telling you there was a staiton coming up, especially the first one. Also the water stations weren't all well manned - I got two cups from one with 1cm of water in each. I know these people are volunteers and have given up their time and I could run with a bottle but it's been a while since I've experience such disappointment with water stops. Marshalls were brilliant and the course was great. The only other complaint... the car parking. We parked in the town hall car park as suggested in the race handbook - the very first car park mentioned in the handbook... and then we got a parking ticket. The car park states only for two hours, however there were loads of runners parking there, presumably at the suggestion in the handbook. Realistically two hours isn't enough to get to the start, use the loo, run the race and get back to the car unless you're an elite runner which most of us are not. Watford Harriers - do not suggest people use a car park that has a parking limit of two hours. Loads of cars got parking tickets - yes we could have parked elsewhere but not knowing Watford, we followed the advice of the race handbook. This made for a pricey event.Date of review: February 3, 2013

In short: What a lovely day out...In full: My second visit to the White Peak Marathon.. one additional baby born since the last time I ran it. Was hoping for a sub four hour run after doing 4:03 in 2009 but ten mins slower this time - never mind, I loved it! A great event, really well organised, friendly marshalls - thank you all for such a great race, especially as others seem to be getting more and more expensive and less value for money..

One thing.. how about something non-fruity in the goody bag?Date of review: May 20, 2012

In short: A glorious run through the country side!In full: The hills were hilly but nothing I couldn't handle. Such a small field with amny club runners but I was ok - not sure where I came, somewhere nearer the back than usual due to the number of super fit club runners (I had a baby 9 months ago so not back up to speed yet). Amazing organisation, location for start/finish (no queue for the ladies!) and fabulous marshalls all the way around - very encouraging and supportive. Well done all involved!!Date of review: October 2, 2011

In short: A nice day outIn full: Shame about the toilets and the PA system and the lack of goody bags and the lack of showers (one ladies shower does not enough showers make!!) and the poor signage around the school. But the second lap of the run was great and I beat the hills (very pleased with that after 12 years of being rubbish at them, clearly having another baby did me good!) and the swim afterwards with the family was excellent. So... do it again? Probably not one of those must do races but maybe, if we're not on holiday and I've got nothing better lined up...Date of review: August 21, 2011